Baby it’s cold outside! Chilled to the bone and looking for ways to warm up that don’t involve just staying home? New York City has plenty of warm ways to spend the day. From nature-inspired staycations and tropical foliage destinations to a palm trees abyss and places where you can take a pool dip – there’s no reason why winter in the city has to involve wearing snow boots! Avoid a trip to an indoor playroom with our list of fun things to do! Read on for 7 ways to have a winter warm-up in the city.
Indoor Atriums for the Ultimate Nature Stay-cation
Walk in a Rainforest – Central Park Zoo
Turn the cabin fever into Jungle fever in Central Park Zoo’s Rainforest – the Tropic Zone. The two-level, indoor jungle is full of exotic plants and animal friends, including tamarins, frogs, lemurs, and even bats. The room is always kept at a balmy temperature, it is sooo warm you will be taking off the layers and feeling relieved to get back into the cold weather after you leave. Trust us on this one.
Central Park Zoo – Tropic Zone. Central Park Zoo, inside the park near 64th Street and Fifth Avenue. More information HERE.
Sit within a Tropical Pavilion – Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Warm air and palm trees- sign us up please! One winter warm up where you can see both of these is the Tropical Pavilion at the New York Botanical Garden. The largest pavilion of BBG’s conservatory complex, the 6,000 square foot pavilion is all under glass—soaring to a height of 65 feet to accommodate its tallest palm trees, a tropical forest, and even waterfalls and streams. The main tropical regions of the world are represented here: the Amazon basin, African rainforest, and tropical eastern Asia, and the best part? It’s always around 75 degrees.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden. 1000 Washington Avenue. Brooklyn, NY. More information HERE.
Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History
Celebrating its 18th year at the Museum, this popular attraction transforms the coldest day into a summer escape, inviting visitors to mingle and get up close and personal with up to 500 fluttering butterflies. Aside from the flying friends, guests will be walking among blooming tropical flowers and lush green vegetation opportunity to learn about the roles butterflies play in ecosystems and why it is so critical that we protect them- all in 80-degree temperatures.
American Museum of Natural History – The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter. Central Park West at 79th Street. More information HERE.
Palm Trees and Beach Please!
Winter Garden in the City – Brookfield Place
Palm trees is what you need? Head over to Brookfield Place in Battery Park City, where you can sit under enormous palms and soak into the sun through the gorgeous glass atrium. The large courtyard setting is surrounded by many family amenities, including coffee and quick food shops, restaurants galore, and even children’s apparel stores. During the winter months, you can ice skate with Olympic greats at their ice rink (which we love, read about our recent experience HERE).
Brookfield Place. 230 Vesey Street, near West Street, Battery Park City. More information HERE.
Surf Bar Brooklyn
Longing for a vacation with the sun overhead and where you can put your toes in the sand? The Surf Bar in Williamsburg Brooklyn is the closest you’ll get to a vacation – all while only a few miles outside of Manhattan. While there isn’t a sun overhead, perhaps a dozen surfboards will do instead? Surf Bar is famous for its surf vibes, sandy floors, large aquarium, and tropical decor. Grab some of their famous seafood for a meal with the fam and a tiki drink or two for mom and dad, and you’ll be warm in no time.
Surf Bar. 139 N 6th Street. Willamsburg, Brooklyn. More information HERE.
Dive Into Warm Water
Swimming with Asphalt Green
Sometimes the only winter warm-up that will do, is taking a dip in a pool! Aside from an actual city stay-cation that involves a hotel pool pass, the easiest way is to swim laps with Asphalt Green. The mega sports complex offers swimming lessons for the kids and drop-in offerings (no membership needed) for families on the weekends. Even more convenient, there are two locations; one in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the other in Battery Park City – so getting there should be easy. Make a day of it! Asphalt Green’s day pass also includes the complex’s many amenities.
Asphalt Green Upper East Side. 555 East 90th Street (between York and East End). More information HERE. Battery Park City. 212 North End Avenue (near Warren Street). More information HERE.
Chelsea Piers Pool
The 6-lane, 75-foot indoor pool at Chelsea Piers Fitness in New York features expansive views of the Hudson River, an adjacent whirlpool spa and plenty of deck space for relaxing. Daily lap swimming sessions are available during all club hours. While a little bit more expensive, the day pass will also grant you access to the Sports Center’s many other amenities.
The Pool at Chelsea Piers Fitness. 60 Chelsea Piers (20th Street and 11th Avenue). New York., NY. More information HERE.
